"Live: London, UK 05.06.03" by Eddi Reader

a Review by Amy Lotsberg Producer of Collected Sounds

Sometimes live recordings don't do an artist justice. There are some exceptions (Ani DiFranco's "Living in Clip" and Jonatha Brooke's "Live" come to mind) and this might be another one. I had not heard Eddi Reader's studio recordings before listening to this, but by the 3rd song I declared myself a fan.

The only (slight) problem I have with it is from a production standpoint. The music sounds great, but she talks quite a bit (in her beautiful Scottish accent) and it's so quiet that you have to crank the volume to hear her and then the music is too loud. But that's OK, I can deal with that. It's worth it because her banter is witty and sweet (and that accent, oh my)

Eddi Reader's voice is lovely. The music could be called Adult Contemporary with a Celtic twist. At the time of the recording (May 6, 2003) she had recently put out a CD of songs written by legendary Scottish poet, Robert Burns. So it would make sense that she includes them in this concert.

She'll blow you away first with "Jamie Come Try Me" which Burns wrote as a fantasy song for his friend Jamie who "couldn't get any girlfriends".

She does a version of "My Love is Like a Red Red Rose" that is gorgeous.

On "Charlie is My Darlin'" she's made it into a sing-along and it makes me want to grab a pint and sing with them.

From her lovely lilt to the instrumentation (which includes, guitar, accordion, whistle, mandolin, cello and fiddle) this CD is a hit. If you're at all interested in Celtic music this is a sure bet.

Posted on November 17, 2003